Are JDs well regarded? (1 Viewer)

[Hiphoppa]

Just wondering if those of you who have been working at law firms, etc know whether a JD is seen as equal to an LLB in terms of getting a job? I'm considering enrolling in one due to the specialised subjects and flexible timetable. Thanks in advance

 

[Xytech]

as far as i know, yes.

 

[Timbo650]

Just wondering if those of you who have been working at law firms, etc know whether a JD is seen as equal to an LLB in terms of getting a job? I'm considering enrolling in one due to the specialised subjects and flexible timetable. Thanks in advance

Well if it's good enough for the admisison board, then it's good enough...

OTOH, if you are asking if it's got cred/prestige/whatever, then it's a bit early to tell (JDs are only new-ish...)

And you do know that a JD is a Bachelors-equiv degree, right?
It's not the same as an LLD... and even the Yanks (many if not most of whom have JD as their law qual) don't call themselves "Doctor" with a JD...

 

[RogueAcademic]

OTOH, if you are asking if it's got cred/prestige/whatever, then it's a bit early to tell (JDs are only new-ish...)

You'll find that many of the lawyers are familiar with the JD already.

And you do know that a JD is a Bachelors-equiv degree, right?
It's not the same as an LLD... and even the Yanks (many if not most of whom have JD as their law qual) don't call themselves "Doctor" with a JD...

The JD is perceived as a postgraduate degree, and is taught at that level with a postgraduate workload. For eg, Monash University refers to their JD as an LLM.

 

[Timbo650]

The JD is perceived as a postgraduate degree, and is taught at that level with a postgraduate workload. For eg, Monash University refers to their JD as an LLM.

Agree in part.
In the US, although typically (but not exclusively) the JD is done after an earlier Bachelors degree, it is more in the ballpark of the Aussie double-degree - more like the second degree on your BA/BEc/BSc LLB combo than it is like an traditional LLM or above... even if Monash says otherwise for theirs...

 

[RogueAcademic]

it is more in the ballpark of the Aussie double-degree - more like the second degree on your BA/BEc/BSc LLB combo than it is like an traditional LLM or above... even if Monash says otherwise for theirs...

No it isn't like an undergraduate double degree. The US used to have the LLB degree but they got rid of that to distinguish the JD as a strictly postgraduate degree. Entry is much more competitive and requires an extensive CV and academic record as well as performance in the LSAT. If you look at the entry requirements for both the Monash and UniMelb JDs, they will look at your CV as part of the admissions process. Generally speaking, LLB students do not graduate with the experience and extensive CVs and resumes that JD graduates possess.

JD subjects are taught at postgraduate level (see the UniMelb JD, which also offers the postgraduate double degree JD/MBA) and in fact Monash JD electives are drawn from their LLM roster of subjects which bring the students through a more in-depth approach than the traditional undergrad LLB subjects. JD students do these electives alongside LLM students, you can't get any closer to the 'traditional LLM' than that. It is unequivocally a postgraduate LLM-level degree.

 

[freejk]

Hello

I am starring J.D at UTS from this semester

and i was thinking of transfering to USYD graduate law

As people here been saying J.D is recognized as LLM, Do ya'll think transfering

to graduate law better idea ? or stay and do J.D?

cheers

 

[RogueAcademic]

Hello

I am starring J.D at UTS from this semester

and i was thinking of transfering to USYD graduate law

As people here been saying J.D is recognized as LLM, Do ya'll think transfering

to graduate law better idea ? or stay and do J.D?

cheers

I should state clearly that although the JD is a postgraduate level degree, it is a distinct degree from the LLM.

The Monash JD is the only JD I know of that is actually called the "LLM (Juris Doctor)". And they can openly and confidently give it that title because the course structure requires the students to first complete the compulsory subjects for admission as a legal practitioner, and then the students join the regular LLM students in completing elective subjects selected from the LLM subject list. The number of elective subjects required to pass, roughly corresponds with the workload required of the regular LLM students to pass with an actual LLM.

As another example, at the University of Melbourne if you were doing the JD/MBA double degree, you complete the compulsory JD subjects for legal admission, then in place of the usual elective subjects, you complete MBA subjects instead to qualify for the double degree.

Generally speaking, JDs from other universities are quite clear about the postgrad level of their subjects but they do not associate it as clearly as Monash Uni has with the LLM.

Again generally speaking, the JD is best utilised with your previous degree, your ability to undertake postgraduate level study in the JD, and your professional experience as shown in your CV up to that point, to set yourself aside from LLB students who will mostly be school leavers with very little professional work experience in their CVs.

As for transfering into the Grad Law at USyd, there are a number of other (contentious) factors involved in determining the advantages and disadvantages of that. There will be arguments for and against, so I don't really know myself.